Digging Up Your Family

Wordless Wednesday: Ruby Ophelia South 1939

Amaziah South-Civil War Records

These are all of the Civil War records I have found for Amaziah South so far.  There seem to be several cards, plus his discharge, missing.  I may never find them, but I sure hope I do!

These records were found on Fold3.

The front of the card envelope has Amaziah South’s name.  It tells us he was in Company E, Cobb’s Legion, Georgia Confederate Army and listed as a Private and Sergeant.

April 3, 1862

When Amaziah enlisted he was 34 years of age.  He had enlisted in Captain BS King’s Cavalry Company on March 15, 1862 in Roswell, Fulton County, Georgia.  His enlistment time was “For the War”.

April 22, 1862 

January and February 1863

March and April 1863

 

November and December 1863

“Promoted to Sergeant from Corporal Nov. the 1st.  Absent detail for horse since 12th Nov.”

January and February 1864

“Absent sick since 17th January 1864.  Promoted to Sergt. from Corp. Nov. 1 1863.”

 

April 1, 1864

“Residence State of Georgia.  Absent sick since 17 January 1864.”

 

January 1 to May 1, 1864

“Residence Ga.  Promoted Sergt. from Corpl. Nov. 1 /63.”

 

May 1 to September 1, 1864

 

September and October 1864

“Residence, Ga.  Absent on horse detail since 20 Sept. /64.”

Laura Ann Neese-Widow’s Pension & Death

Laura Ann Neese (about 1850-1927) was the second wife of Amaziah South (1828-1898) after his first wife passed.  According to the Widow’s Pension Application Amaziah died March 11, 1898 in Fulton County, Georgia.  Why she waited 21 years to apply for widow’s pension is beyond me, but I hope someone can enlighten me on the matter! 

Interesting note:  Amaziah’s name on these records is Emeziah A South.  If you check on the Widow’s Affidavit you will noticed that Laura made her mark, an “X” inside parentheses on the line with her name.  More than likely she was unable to read and write, therefore could not spell Amaziah’s name.  I wonder what the “A” stood for?  My husband believes it might stand for Atticus, a family name.

These records were found on Ancestry.

  

I wasn’t able to find the marriage record for Amaziah and his first wife, or a marriage record for Amaziah and Laura.  Lucky for me, the pension applications had a copy!

 

Laura Ann Neese died on August 13, 1927, six years after she applied for widow’s pension.  I am still looking for her death record.

 

Amaziah South-Pension Application

This is just the beginning of information for Amaziah South (1828-1898), my husband’s 3rd great-grandfather.  I have found his Civil War records (which will be presented in another post), the application for Widow’s Pension for his second wife (also another post) and various other records.  I have not, however, been able to find all of the census records for him, so a full post  on his whereabouts will happen when those are tracked down (fingers crossed that I can track them down!).

 

 

The following is Amaziah South’s application for Confederate Pension in the State of Georgia for Indigent Soldiers.  This is not transcribed exactly, though there are direct quotes.  Words I was not sure about are highlighted in green.  This record was found on Ancestry.

 

 

 QUESTIONS FOR APPLICANT

1. His name is given as Amaziah South and he resided in Post Office Clara, Fulton County, Georgia.
2. On January 1, 1894 he resided in Fulton County, Georgia.
3. He was born on January 1, 1828 in South Carolina.
4. He volunteered in the Confederate Army.
5. He enlisted in Roswell, Fulton County, Georgia.
6. He enlisted in Company E, Cobb’s Legion (Calvary).
7. He remained in that company and regiment for 3 years.
8. He was not discharged or transferred to another company.
9. He discharged regular military duty for 3 years.
10. He was discharged in Fulton County, Georgia after the surrender.
11. This line asks what his present occupation is, but it is illegible (to me, at least)
12. He can earn $30.00 per year on his own.
13. His occupation since 1865 has been working in a factory.
14. I can’t make out how much he is asking for in pension per year, but he can contribute $30.00 towards the amount.
15. When asked about his physical condition he said “I am ruptured in my sides.  My condition is bad.”
16. He bases his application on “infirmity and poverty”.
17. Asked how long he has been in his condition he said “I was ruptured during the war in both groins.  I suffer great pain and am unable to do any manual labor.”
18. He possesses no property, effects, or income.
19. In 1893 and 1894 he possessed no property, effects or income.
20. In 1893 and 1894 he resided in Fulton County, Georgia.
21. When asked how he was supported in 1893 and 1894 he said “By my children with what little I did.”
22. His cost of living for each year was $150 and he contributed about $30.00.
23. Asked about his employment and pay for the past three years he said “I worked some in factory during those years and suppose I earned about $30.00.”
24. He states “I am married.  My wife is living.  I have 1 girl 27-years.  I have 5 Boys 44-42-37-18-14 years old.” (note:  he did have more children than just the six)
25. He is not receiving any other pension.

 

 QUESTIONS FOR WITNESS

1. Witness states his name as GM Arnold and lives in Fulton County, Georgia.
2. He has known Amaziah South for about 40 years.
3. He states that Amaziah lives in Fulton County, Georgia and “He has lived in this state all his life.”
4. Mr. Arnold and Amaziah served in the Confederate Army together.
5. Amaziah enlisted in B.S. King’s Co, Company E, Cobb’s Legion.
6. Both Mr. Arnold and Amaziah were members of the same company and regiment.
7. When asked about duties performed and military discharge Mr. Arnold says of Amaziah “From 1862 till 1865.  he was a good soldier.”
8. Amaziah has no property, effects or income.
9. Amaziah had no property, effects or income in 1893 or 1894.
10. When asked about Amaziah’s occupation and physical condition Mr. Arnold said “He works some in factory.  His physical condition is very bad.”
11. Yes, Amaziah was unable to support himself by labor of any sort.
12. When asked how Amaziah was supported in 1893 and 1894 Mr. Arnold said “By his children with what he (helped) himself.”
13. Mr. Arnold did not know how much of Amaziah’s support came from labor or personal income.
14. When asked to give a statement as to Amaziah’s physical condition Mr. Arnold said “His condition is very bad.  He is able to do minimal labor.”
15. Mr. Arnold stated he had no interest in the pension himself.

 

 AFFIDAVIT OF PHYSICIANS

The description of Amaziah’s physical condition after an examination was described by Drs. WH Rice and GJ Pierce as “He has a bad rupture on both sides.  Old age, poverty and general debility.”